chapter 5 pt 1

Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication

• Inevitability

  • Nonverbal communication is unavoidable; every interaction sends nonverbal messages.

  • Quote: "We cannot not communicate" (Watzlawick, Beavin, & Jackson, 1967).

  • Example: A student staring off during class may convey boredom, fatigue, or disrespect based on interpretation.

• Conveying Emotions

  • Nonverbal cues primarily express emotions; research indicates that 93% of a message's emotional impact is nonverbal (Mehrabian, 1972).

  • Example: Janelle frowning while saying she is not angry highlights contradictory messages where her nonverbal cues suggest anger.

• Multichanneled

  • Nonverbal communication involves multiple channels of expression simultaneously: posture, facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice, and appearance.

  • Example: Observing a child’s body language—like avoiding eye contact and slouching—can communicate dishonesty when they deny wrongdoing (Berthiaume, Blair, & Strong, 2008).

• Ambiguity

  • Nonverbal signals are culturally contextual; meanings vary widely among cultures.

  • Example: In the U.S., direct eye contact signifies respect, while in some cultures, it may be viewed as confrontational.

Types of Nonverbal Communication

• Kinesics (Body Language)

  • Involves gestures, eye contact, facial expressions, posture, and touch.

• Gestures

  • Emblems: Gestures that substitute for words (e.g., placing a finger to lips for silence).

  • Illustrators: Used to clarify verbal messages (e.g., adjusting hands to show size).

  • Adaptors: Unconscious gestures often related to needs (e.g., scratching an itch).

  • Note: The meaning of gestures can change across cultures; the American "okay" sign can mean different things in different countries.

• Eye Contact

  • Varies significantly in interpretation by culture (e.g., maintaining eye contact in Western cultures versus its avoidance in Asian cultures).

  • Example: In the U.S., maintaining eye contact shows engagement; in Japan, it might be seen as disrespectful.

• Facial Expressions

  • Facial cues convey emotions and are recognized across cultures; examples include raising eyebrows for recognition or wrinkling the nose for disgust.

  • Use of emoticons in digital communication reflects these expressions.

• Posture

  • Indicates attentiveness and confidence; upright posture signals respect or interest.

  • Body orientation (facing directly or side-by-side) can imply different levels of engagement.

• Touch (Haptics)

  • Different types of touch include spontaneous (e.g., patting), ritualized (e.g., handshakes), and task-related (e.g., medical examinations).

  • Touch norms vary significantly across cultures; familiarity with cultural norms is essential for appropriate interaction.

• Voice (Paralanguage)

  • Comprises vocal elements such as pitch, volume, rate, quality, intonation, and pauses that provide additional meaning beyond words.

  • Pitch: Indicates emotions (higher pitch may signal excitement or nervousness).

  • Volume: Cultural perceptions of volume vary (booming voices in some cultures signify strength; softer tones may be preferred in others).

  • Rate: Speed can indicate emotional states or engagement (faster when excited; slower for emphasis).

  • Quality: Distinct sound characteristics can suggest personality traits or emotional states.